Best .223 round for ....?

[TxAg]

For Deer?

For Predators?

[Boomerang]

Any caliber will kill. The .223 doesn't have as much energy as some calibers that shoot the same .224 diameter bullet. The shot is a lung shot and you want a fragmenting bullet. FMJ will sometimes tumble in a 55gr and drop them, other times not. The quickest is a 50gr VMAX on deer. 40gr VMAX work on deer but they will run about 70 yards (unlike a .220 Swift or .22-250 that have higher velocities and drop them in their tracks). A 40gr VMAX on varmints drops them in their tracks as they are usually under 50 pounds.

[Boomerang]

I would even shoot a .308 diameter magnum in a fragmenting round on deer as they are small animals. Taking out the vitals on a deer instantly drops them. I have seen large magnum calibers that blow holes in the other side let the deer run 100+ yards. Bullets that don't exit delivery 100% of the energy and drop them. Again, any caliber will be effective. They question is how far do you want to track them.

[boh347]

Jake dropped this one dead in his tracks with .223 55g vmax 100 yrds.

[TxAg]

While I appreciate the info, my question is specifically in regards to .223

[hoyt21]

I shoot a 75 gr hornady hollow point. But only shot I really take is the bass of the neck where it meets the shoulder.

[hoyt21]

Never shot a varmint with it and I'm sure it would devastate them.

[flatlander]

The Federal Fusion ammo is pretty popular for deer.

I know my AR loves the Hornady V-max and everything from coyotes down to jack rabbits really don't like it.

I really believe it is more about shot placement than anything, but I know that isn't your question.

[culebuck]

BARNES BULLETS. Enough said

[Flint knapper]

I like the 45 grain hollowpoint from Winchester that runs 3600 fps. It's devestating on varmits with very little hide damage.

For deer. I'd stick with the heaver bullets like the 60 grain Nosler Partition.

[westtexducks]

I like the 45 grain hollowpoint from Winchester that runs 3600 fps. It's devestating on varmits with very little hide damage.

For deer. I'd stick with the heaver bullets like the 60 grain Nosler Partition.

Same here when I am shooting the .223. It works on the deer also with a noggin or neck shot and I wouldn't be afraid to put it in the boiler room if I knew I could keep it out of the shoulder bone.

[Skullworks52]

50gr barnes tsx.

[Boomerang]

While I appreciate the info, my question is specifically in regards to .223

I was giving examples of what a 40gr VMAX will do on a deer vs a 50gr VMAX. The 50gr is definitely faster in its effectiveness. My point on fragmenting bullets for the lung shots vs mushrooming rounds. I see the fragmenting drop more than bonded rounds. That is why I gave a comparison of a .308 diameter magnums that don't fragment. I don't like to track animals, so I want something where they drop.

[TxAg]

I was giving examples of what a 40gr VMAX will do on a deer vs a 50gr VMAX. The 50gr is definitely faster in its effectiveness. My point on fragmenting bullets for the lung shots vs mushrooming rounds. I see the fragmenting drop more than bonded rounds. That is why I gave a comparison of a .308 diameter magnums that don't fragment. I don't like to track animals, so I want something where they drop.

Now I gotcha! I appreciate the help.

[tvc184]

While I appreciate the info, my question is specifically in regards to .223

I shoot a Federal Tactical Bonded 62gr. I have never had it fail to exit the other side of the deer with at least a .50 caliber wound and that includes animals quartering both at me and away. My last shot on a whitetail was at 118 yards and was with that round. That deer did run away however. He made it about 20 yards before he piled up.

That is a law enforcement round (but anyone can purchase it) but there has to be a hunting version of the bonded rounds that will not come apart/fragment. Any .223 in the breadbasket will kill but the problem with the .223 is a blood trail if it does not go down immediately. If it leaves the tiny .22 caliber hole going in but leaves no exit and if the deer runs 70 yards into thick brush but you have no trail to follow, you might lose him.

That is why it is important to have a round that will punch a large hole on the other side so they can bleed out and if they do happen to run, you will have a trail to follow. A round that disintegrates the heart but the deer runs away never to be found is not worth much.